President Tayyip Erdogan has called for an end to international support for Kurdish fighters in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Speaking to reporters after attending a summit in Egypt, Erdogan emphasized that there is no longer any justification for backing the Kurdish YPG, which Turkey considers an extension of the outlawed PKK.
Turkey has long viewed the PKK, and by extension the YPG, as terrorist organizations. Erdogan likened the YPG to the Islamic State, stating, “In the upcoming period, we do not believe that any power will continue to collaborate with terrorist organizations.”
Comparisons with Islamic State
The Turkish president stressed that both the Islamic State and PKK-YPG have no place in Syria’s future. “The heads of terrorist organizations… will be crushed in the shortest possible time,” Erdogan asserted.
Germany and the U.S. on Kurdish Integration
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock supported Turkey’s position to an extent, advocating for the disarmament of Kurdish groups and their integration into Syria’s national security structure. Meanwhile, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf indicated that Washington is working on a “managed transition” for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Leaf acknowledged the significant role the SDF played in defeating Islamic State militants but noted that “conditions have changed dramatically.” The U.S. currently has around 2,000 troops in Syria supporting the SDF.
Turkey’s Vision for a New Syria
Erdogan outlined his vision for a unified Syria where all ethnic and religious groups could coexist peacefully. He insisted that eradicating the PKK and its affiliates is essential for achieving this goal. “The PKK terrorist organization and its extensions in particular have reached the end of their lifespan,” he said.
SDF’s Response and Future Role
In a notable statement, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi revealed that foreign Kurdish fighters, including PKK members, had been aiding the SDF but would withdraw if a ceasefire agreement was reached with Turkey. However, a Turkish Defense Ministry official dismissed any talks of a truce, maintaining that Ankara will continue its operations until all Kurdish fighters lay down their arms and leave Syria.
The developments come as tensions remain high between Turkey and the U.S., with Ankara repeatedly demanding an end to American support for Kurdish fighters. Hostilities have escalated since Assad’s downfall, with Turkey and its Syrian allies capturing Manbij from the SDF earlier this month.
